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Indians extend deal with Class A Mahoning Valley

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By Jordan Bastian
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MLB.com |

CLEVELAND -- The Indians have served as the parent ballclub for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers since the team's creation, and Cleveland has agreed to continue the partnership for at least three more seasons.

On Thursday, the Indians announced that they have extended their player development contract with Class A (short-season) Mahoning Valley by two years, running through the 2016 campaign. The Scrappers -- owned by HWS Baseball and located in Niles, Ohio -- have been affiliated with Cleveland since being founded in 1999.

"We are thrilled to extend our affiliation with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the community of Niles," Ross Atkins, the Indians' vice president of player development, said in a release. "HWS Baseball and the Scrappers provide our players with the support and resources to develop into winning Major Leaguers, while the community and fans create an environment that prepares our players to play just an hour down the road in Cleveland.

"We look forward to the continued relationship and to many more cornerstone Cleveland Indians starting their careers in Mahoning Valley."

Last season, Mahoning Valley went 30-44, finishing in fourth place in the Pinckney Division within the New York-Penn League. Cleveland often uses the short-season affiliate for players taken in the First-Year Player Draft in June, or for players in the 19-24 age range.